During a 19-minute warm-up for the campaign, Malloy said Foley has been sitting on the sidelines for four years, plotting strategy, while he has governed, making the state a national leader in raising the minimum wage, creating paid sick leave for workers and successfully initiating the state's version of the federal Affordable Care Act.

"He was in the cheap seats, saying cheap things while we were working hard, and that's unacceptable," Malloy said, sparking a crowd that included top state officials and U.S. Sens. Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy.

Malloy focused on a late-July confrontation outside a closed paper mill in Sprague, at which Foley blamed local officials and employees for the business failure.

"This is unacceptable in our state and any other state in the nation," Malloy said.

"Let me be very clear," Malloy said. "Tom Foley will not tell you his plan in any amount of detail, not because he is so confident that you wouldn't understand his words, but just the opposite. He believes that you would understand his intentions."

Malloy said he plans to unveil campaign initiatives that include proposals to make college more affordable, enhance the state's investments in infrastructure and strengthen housing and health care options for the elderly.

The 66th annual Jefferson Jackson Bailey Dinner, named for two presidents and former longtime state Democratic boss John Bailey, was conveniently scheduled for the day after the Republican gubernatorial primary. It attracted party members from throughout the state who paid about $185 a head.

"We are on the right side of the issues," she said. "There is much at stake in these next 82 days. Do we move forward or turn the clock back?"

DiNardo said that under Malloy, the state has "jump-started" important national conversations, including the minimum wage and paid sick leave.

"We can't turn back after coming so far," she said.

Guest speakers included Gov. Maggie Hassan, of New Hampshire, and Delaware Gov. Jack Markell, who praised Malloy for moving Connecticut through the recession to the point at which unemployment is at a five-year low.

Hassan warned of a trend toward "far-right ideology," which she said is a detriment to growth and cut critical services when tea party lawmakers took control of the New Hampshire Legislature.

Markell said of Foley: "Maybe he can't see from the cabin of his jet the thousands of people who have gone back to work thanks to Dan Malloy."

Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman said Malloy's love for the state makes him sensitive to the trials of the poor and those who have lost loved ones.

"He views the challenge of rebuilding our middle class as a priority," Wyman said. "He doesn't hide his policies to try to fool voters. And he doesn't tell workers it was their fault that they lost their jobs."